Screw on M.2 heat sink broke.
Screw on M.2 heat sink broke.
You're facing a tricky situation with your ASUS Strix B550. The screw head came off when you removed the M.2 cover, and now the tip is stuck in the standoff. It looks like it might be soldered. You'll need to carefully remove the standoff or use a desoldering tool to free it. Once the standoff is out, you can try installing your WD Black SN775. Make sure to follow proper soldering techniques if needed. Let me know if you need more details!
The best chance for simple extraction is ensuring the leftover screw piece remains undamaged. When a section protrudes, use pliers or a vise to gently pull it out. If it sits flat or is hidden, insert an object to help twist it free. Tools like miniature screwdrivers, knife edges, drill bits, or damaged removal devices can be useful. Be careful with any equipment that creates debris—clean thoroughly before restarting your computer to avoid short circuits from metal shavings.
Honestly, I wouldn't stress too much about it. The heatsink isn't doing much. I omitted them in my latest projects since the heatsink wasn't even close to the SSD. I thought airflow was better than a solid piece covering it. You're more likely to mess things up trying to take out the screw. Make sure to confirm if it's easy to remove—take a look at the top and bottom of the board near the broken standoff. A photo would help, especially to see if it's detachable.